Saturday 19 January 2019 20:19, UK
Cardiff have completed the signing of Nantes forward Emiliano Sala for a club-record fee on a three-and-a-half year deal.
The Argentine is Neil Warnock's second signing of the January transfer window having brought in striker Oumar Niasse on loan from Everton.
The fee for the former Bordeaux and Caen forward Sala is a new Cardiff club-record deal, beating the £11m paid to Sevilla for Chile midfielder Gary Medel in 2013.
The 28-year-old could make his debut at the Emirates against Arsenal on January 29 and he is ready to get to work for the Premier League side.
He told the club's official website: "I'm very happy to be here. It gives me great pleasure and I can't wait to start training, meet my new teammates and get down to work.
"For me it feels special [to be the club's record signing]. I have come here wanting to work and to help my teammates and the club. I can't wait to get to work straight away and do everything I can."
CEO & Executive Director, Ken Choo, added: "It's obviously been a long process to secure the services of Emiliano.
"I'd like to thank those involved for making the signing happen, especially Tan Sri Vincent and the rest of the transfer committee.
"We see Emiliano as a significant acquisition and welcome him wholeheartedly to the capital city of Wales."
Born in Argentina, Sala has scored 12 times for Nantes this season, and Cardiff will be hoping for an instant impact from the forward with the club in the relegation zone, two points from safety.
The Bluebirds dropped to 18th after a 3-0 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday and have only scored 19 goals, the joint-second lowest total in the division.
